I have a couple of question for bike mechanic gurus...

1) Can front fork be changed? I've asked couple of people and they said that I can't change the fork on these cheap bike. I don't have any spec on current setup - so if you know what the setting is, it would be great.

2) Crankset - When I'm doing top speed, I can't pedal fast enough to match the speed. What is the setup on Ezip and if I could move up in crankset.

Thanks for your help.

New guy here...

So I was thinking that if you can not commute all the way with your ebike, then commute half way!! Drive maybe ten miles and then take your e-bike the last ten miles to work.

Of course you need a bike rack for that. Still you could cut your commute cost in half. My SUV gets an obscenely low MPG so this really saves bucks, and provides exercise and fun.

Nevermind, Walmart online is now out of the mens bikes. Does anyone have the UPC number for the two mens bikes? The bikes might be available locally, but without the UPC numbers the Walmart store can not look up the stock of these bicycles locally. I have 20 stores within half an hour drive from me.

Unless you modified your motor/power supply then I have a hard time seeing how you cant pedal 18 MPH in high gear.

I have heard some do a front derailleur, but I have not looked into it yet.

Yes I have. That was the first thing I did after putting on the handlebars and wheel. Its fine when I ride without the batteries. I have lifted the bike and spun the wheels to check for resistance.

Again, I think it is because I get used to the extra help of the motor... and it freaking heavy!!

I done ever remember riding a bike that weighed 87 pounds before. Add my 190 and that is a good mass to get up the hills.

I did hit 50MPH going down though.... all the time I was thinking are these tiny rubber pads going to melt if I try to stop!? I never checked.

I did hit 50MPH going down though.... all the time I was thinking are these tiny rubber pads going to melt if I try to stop!? I never checked.

50MPH!!! Holy Cow, I freak out at 30mpg on the E-ZIP

Actually thats not that hard. I'm a roadie and 20+ MPH on flat ground is fairly easy. Even Ezip could be pushed hard (without the motor). But because of the gear, the limit seems to be about 18mph.

And yes, I did modified the engine/battery recently to cut down on my commute time (typically 18-20+ mph instead of 14-17mph)... Again, the problem is that I like to pedal (hard) but at that speed, the pedal is useless.

So let me know if you know the spec as I didn't find anything in the owners manual.

As for going down the hill at 50mph - I recently came back from a grueling Vermont trip and I must say - Wow!!! Coming down the mountain at 50+ MPH for few miles was excellent. Bad thing was - took us 3 1/2 hours to get up to the top and most of us chickened out and hit the brake once it began creeping up to 60mph.

I never pulled my brakes at that speed, I had visions of a few white whisps of smoke and no more rubber pad to stop me.

leamcorp I'm one of the people to add a triple chain wheel. Mine is a Shimano FC-C051, 28,38,48T, the derailleru is an SRAM X-9 High Clamp for 1 1/8 (I think seat tube diameter, measure to be sure), I can't locate the number of my quick Shifter just now. I call my system reverse polish, the quick shift (front derailleur) is on the right with the standard eZip rotary shift on the left.

I'll try to get better info on the shifter soon. Right now I'm getting my road bike and my legs ready for a 6 day, 500 mile, Niagara Falls to Saratoga Springs trip a week from sat with 200 other crazy people. It's called the Great Big FANY Ride (where FANY stands for Five hundred miles Across NY). I got parts that need fixin.

I had another idea to offer up for comment or someone's early trial. Thi is about the battery switch location and the need to toggle it at times to wake up the controller. What the controller really needs to see is no voltage for a while, the return of voltage wakes it.
Idea: place a normally closed, high current relay between the center of the switch and the controller. Place an instantaneous, push button control switch on the handle bars. When the controller needs awakening touch the push button. The relay opens. The controller sense the return of voltage and wakes up.
Worth a shot??

Well, my at the moment "to do" action is to replace the wheel. I've never realized that its rolling movement was so terrible. For example, when you spin the front wheel, it turns about 6-10 times, then stop. The back wheel is even worse, about 2-4 turns. On top of that, the wheels are not straight... I don't think these wheels are worth enough to get it trued.

So I took a front wheel from my RockHopper Comp and it spins beautifully (literally spins 100x or more). The back wheels is a problem. I need to find a good quality rim that will accept 7 speed freewheel, which will be a task in itself. But, this should be a must if you pedal most of the time or just to increase the speed under power. I have a feeling this could make a huge difference.

I promised ckndave the beginning of a reminder list of things to do to keep an ezip happy.
Here's a beginning, additions more than welcome. As more reminders are posted I'll edit them into this list so that they'll all be in one place.

Tips for CKnDave

Lots of little things, no particular order:

Charge batteries for 8 hours (as an aim) immediately after use

After 'vacation' top them off for 3 or 4 hrs

As has been said be sure batteries are locked in. Push down on battery if necessary to lock

Check the tires for embedded stones particularly after riding on gravel or freshly “Oiled and Stoned” roads, remove any stones, glass etc

Make sure, once a week that tires have 60 psi

Make sure brakes aren’t dragging. Lift a wheel off the ground, listen, observe how long it spins. If one side drags, adjust return spring tension.

Make sure than when the brakes are on HARD that there is still space between lever and handlebar or adjust cable

Make sure all of the brake mounting hardware is secure

Make sure the stem tightening bolt is tight enough that the handlebar can’t be turned while holding the wheel with legs

Oil both chains regularly, wk or so depending on weather

Make sure motor chain is properly tightened per owner’s manual

Make sure all nuts bolts on the battery rack and motor are tight

Adjust the nut on the seat quick release so the lever is hard to move when pointed directly away from the bike and takes real muscle to push the rest of the way back

Check spokes for tightness, yearly, make uniform corrections

Insurance: Record serial number, take pictures of any additions (extra chargers), save receipts

Tools:
To carry: eZip wrenches: Allen, 13/15mm flat wrench
Adjustable wrench, 17 mm cone wrench (to loosen motor mount from axle), Tube patch kit
Spoke wrench (correct size or multi), Tire irons, Bike multitool (like Topeak), Multitool with pliers like Leatherman

To have: Chain buster, crank puller, Park Tool BBT32 Bottom Bracket Cartridge Tool, the only one I’ve found to work with unique Currie Bottom Bracket Cartridge

Extra stuff to carry for longer trips: Extra tube, wire ties, small roll electrical tape, outlet checker, sunscreen, space blanket, velcro strap to clamp brake lever as a parking brake

Be sure to have extra 40 amp fuses, just in case

An extra controller might not be a bad idea if you don't want to miss a week or two

Have a plan to get your bike and yourself home if you should have a flat rear tire

Attach a blinkey butt light to the back of the rack in case your commute home runs late

A helmet light is good to have, works as a flashlight too

Thanks for that list Don. Hmmm, third from last rings a bell.

When do you go on mondo ride?

lynnala the charter bus leaves from about 30 miles from home next sat the 19th. The plan is to bike to meet it, but... We spend sat nite at Niagara Falls and begin in erst Sunday AM. Right now I'm busy sewing name tags in my undies. No just kidding, I'm trying to figure out how many pair I can take. Weight limit is 40#, volume limit 2pcs 30x15x15. I'll be glad to be biking not working at figuring what to leave home.
I've exchanged notes with a couple of people who've done it before and are doing it again (good sign). Sounds like it is going to be fun. Wish you were here (going).

lynnala our last exchange made me remember a question I've had and forgot to ask. I think you said you took a taxi home and went back with your car and picked up your eZip. What kind of car do you have? Did you use a rack? Bet it wasn't a roof rack. How did it stand the weight? Did it fit in the trunk? Did you have to take the front wheel off?

Yeah, that's what I did, cabbed it home (fortunately I was only about 4 miles from home when I got the flat), then went back with my car. I have a trunk rack (holds three bikes), just the standard kind with straps and hooks. It holds the bike just fine, didn't have to take any wheels off. Good thing I'm strong though, that sucker is heavy! The bike, I mean. Now that I know how to remove the motor and get the rear wheel off, I would probably try to fix it on the spot. NOT that it's going to happen again! X (that is my fingers crossed).

Thanks! I'm not in shape yet for a ride like that, but it sounds like an amazing trip. I've done some 2 week walking trips in England myself, same sort of thing but without wheels! Are you wearing spandex or any of those other hideous bike clothing things? (I ride in skirts, myself ) If so, just wash it out at night, it will be dry in the AM. I've gotten my traveling regalia down to practically nothing, I like to travel light. Are you sleeping outdoors? Do you have to carry camping gear?

lynnala yes we are camping but with catered meals and portable hot showers that follow us in the trucks that carry each of our individual 40#. But that includes tent, sleeping bag, comfy thing, tools, gadgets, books, toothbrush the works. And they said they wouldn't be comfortable if I wore practically nothing. Yes I do wear black stretch shorts. They tend to help with a uniquely male problem. The rest of my attire is loose. I wear Teva sandals as bike shoes. They give an interesting tan.

Me too, the Teva's I mean, not the uniquely male problem.

Ah....you remembered! Thank you so much. After toughing it out in the cool mountains of Colorado, we are back to the heat of the desert. My bike looks lonely but will be on its tires tomorrow! While we were where we could get I-net access, we ordered a bike for my husband from Wal-Mart. It is shipped and on its way. We are now an official electrical bike family! Hopefully, it will arrive in one piece!

I will take some time tomorrow to go through all the posts and print out my list from my friend Don!

Blessings to all....off to play Settlers of Catan....awesome game, pick one up if you have not already!

CK

I bought my ezip in May and love it.... A few things have changed on it but ..
Really wanted to say my parents also bought themselves one.. My dad the comfort ezip aw well as my mom the womens comfort.. My mom's big concern was RVing and some parks don't want or allow scooters.. solution a ezip... It is a bicycle and according to regulations here in Oregon they will be just fine.. Any ideas for a basket for the back of my mothers bike? I have temporarily put one one but just seems there is not a good solution for this. Most racks require their own rack.. anyone have the same problems??? Let me know thanks.. And i really enjoy the postings.. lost of info.. Thanks..

JerMc I think we all have experienced this. A couple of ideas 1) A front rack 2) modify the clamps on baskets like these below to hook to the eZip rack "outside" of the batteries.

https://www.niagaracycle.com/ Under Accessories
Bicycle Rear Rack Grocery Baskets, Folding - Wald 582 (Set of 2), White
$34.99

I use a milk crate held on with bungee cords. It's easy to remove for the battery, or when you just don't need it. I'm adding a picnic basket with a lock to the front handlebars.

Ah, got on the ezip yesterday for a library run. What pleasure! My son is in VBS this week so I am driving to church every day to drop him off/pick him up.......Although the church is about 10-15 minutes away by car, it is an awful trip on a bike for anyone. All our traffic is concentrated on two major roads and both have to be used to get there.

Still trying to talk my husband into buying me a nashbar trailer for groceries. He is reluctant to do so in case we have bike failures and cannot get home.......leaving us stranded somewheres. However, I told him we can always walk if that is the case (though miserable we will be!) and that the Jeep can always break down too!

Oh well, he is changing slowly. He did okay the purchase of ebikes for myself and my son. He also just ordered one for himself. We are slowly getting there...

Looking for a plastic milk crate in the meantime...

CK

CK tell Dave they are on sale just now 79.99 not 159.99. No, I don't work for Nashbar. Don